25.11.2015Alzheimer, Parkinson and Co.: What genes can tell us?

Prof. Dr. Konstanze F. Winklhofer, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

In light of the demographic development towards a more aged population, there will be an increase in the case-numbers of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases. This will confront our society with enormous medical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic challenges. The causes of these illnesses are for the most part unknown, therefore, there are no causal therapeutic approaches. A milestone for fundamental research has been the identification of genes, which, when mutated, can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. Insights into these genes may allow for conclusions to be drawn about the pathological processes in the development of these diseases. This knowledge may then be used to develop new therapeutic strategies.